Collapsible bottles and methods of using same

ABSTRACT

Collapsible bottles and methods of using the collapsible bottles are provided. In an embodiment, the collapsible bottle comprises a top panel having a neck, a middle panel foldable along a fold between the top panel and the middle panel, and a bottom panel comprising a bottom surface defining a molded recess so constructed and arranged for receiving a neck of a second bottle within the molded recess. The bottom panel is foldable along a fold between the middle panel and the bottom panel. The bottle is foldable into a collapsed position wherein the top panel folds into the middle panel and the middle panel folds into the bottom panel.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure is generally directed to containers. Morespecifically, the present disclosure is directed to collapsible bottlesand methods of using the collapsible bottles.

There are numerous types of bottles currently being used. Such bottlesare generally bulky and take up considerable amounts of space whenstacked and/or stored together. Accordingly, bottles that provideconvenient storage and space savings can lead to enhanced marketabilitywith consumers.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to collapsible bottles and methods ofusing the collapsible bottles. In an embodiment, the present disclosureprovides a collapsible bottle comprising a top panel having a neck, amiddle panel foldable along a fold between the top panel and the middlepanel, and a bottom panel comprising a bottom surface defining a moldedrecess so constructed and arranged for receiving a neck of a secondbottle partially or entirely within the molded recess. The bottom panelis foldable along a fold between the middle panel and the bottom panel.The bottle is foldable into a collapsed position wherein the top panelfolds into the middle panel and the middle panel folds into the bottompanel.

In an embodiment, the neck comprises a closure.

In an embodiment, the neck comprises a compressible silicon valve sealpositioned underneath the closure.

In an embodiment, the closure comprises a hinged flip top cap.

In an embodiment, the closure comprises a twist screw cap.

In an embodiment, the closure comprises a detachable pull tab.

In an embodiment, the bottom panel comprises a bottom surface defining amolded recess so constructed and arranged for receiving a closure of asecond bottle partially or entirely within the molded recess.

In an embodiment, the neck remains above an upper end of the bottompanel in the collapsed position.

In an embodiment, the top panel, middle panel and bottom panel comprisea circular cross-sectional shape.

In an embodiment, the bottom panel comprises a square cross-sectionalshape.

In an embodiment, the bottle comprises a height of between about 110 mmto about 305 mm in an elongated position and a height of between about50 mm to about 90 mm in the collapsed position.

In an embodiment, the bottom panel comprises a diameter of about 50 mmto about 100 mm.

In an embodiment, at least one of the top panel, middle panel and bottompanel comprises a wall thickness between about 100 microns to about 300microns.

In an embodiment, the bottle comprises a total weight between about 5grams to about 30 grams.

In an embodiment, the bottle comprises a volume between about 6 to about24 fluid ounces in the expanded position and a volume between about 2 toabout 6 fluid ounces in the collapsed position.

In an embodiment, the bottle comprises a beverage concentrate in a formselected from the group consisting of powder, liquid, paste andcombinations thereof.

In an embodiment, the top, middle and bottom panels comprise a materialselected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate,polypropylene, high-density polyethylene, low density polyethylene,polylactic acid, or other polymers or suitable materials andcombinations thereof.

In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a bottlecomprising a top panel comprising a neck, a middle panel foldable alonga fold between the top panel and the middle panel and a bottom panelcomprising a bottom surface defining a molded recess so constructed andarranged for receiving a neck of a second bottle partially or entirelywithin the molded recess. The bottom panel is foldable along a foldbetween the middle panel and the bottom panel. The middle panel is widerthan the top panel, and the bottom panel is wider than the middle panel.The bottle is foldable into a collapsed position wherein the top panelfolds into the middle panel and the middle panel folds into the bottompanel.

In still another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a bottlecomprising a top panel comprising a neck, a middle panel foldable alonga plurality of folds between the top panel and the middle panel and abottom panel comprising a bottom surface defining a molded recess soconstructed and arranged for receiving a neck of a second bottle withinthe molded recess. The middle panel is foldable along the plurality offolds between the top panel and the bottom panel. The bottle is foldableinto a collapsed position wherein the plurality of folds are compressedupon on each other.

In an alternative embodiment, the present disclosure provides a methodof providing a bottled liquid. The method comprises providing a vendingmachine comprising a collapsible bottle, dispensing a collapsible bottlefrom the vending machine, and dispensing a liquid into the collapsiblebottle.

In another embodiment, the vending machine comprises a plurality of thecollapsible bottles in a collapsed position stacked on top of oneanother.

In another embodiment, the liquid is selected from the group consistingof water, coffee, tea, juice, milk, dairy-based drinks (includingyogurt), soy-based drinks, cereal-based drinks, fruit-based drinks,soda, slush, nutritional drink and combinations thereof.

In another embodiment, the collapsible bottle comprises a powderedbeverage (e.g. in the form of a concentrate). The beverage concentratecan also be in the form of a viscous paste or frozen concentrate.Alternatively, the collapsible bottle can comprises a liquid beverageconcentrate

In yet another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method ofselling a beverage. The method comprises providing a vending machinecomprising a beverage and a plurality of collapsible bottles in thecollapsed position, wherein the bottles are stacked upon one another,dispensing a collapsible bottle from the vending machine, elongating thebottle, and dispensing a beverage from the vending machine into thecollapsible bottle. In another embodiment, elongating the bottle anddispensing the beverage can be done within the vending machine using anysuitable process.

In still another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method ofproviding a beverage. The method comprises providing one or morecollapsible bottles in the collapsed position, elongating thecollapsible bottle; and dispensing a liquid into the collapsible bottle.The liquid can be dispensed from a beverage dispensing machine. Thecollapsible bottles can be stacked upon one another on a rack.

An advantage of the present disclosure is to provide improved bottles.

Another advantage of the present disclosure is to provide improvedbottles that are collapsible.

Yet another advantage of the present disclosure is to provide improvedbottles that are stackable.

Still another advantage of the present disclosure is to provide improvedhygienic bottles.

Moreover, another advantage of the present disclosure is to provideimproved methods of providing beverages in a bottle.

Yet another advantage of the present disclosure is to provide improvedmethods for selling beverages.

Additional features and advantages are described herein, and will beapparent from, the following Detailed Description and the figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the collapsible bottle in anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-section II of the collapsible bottle in FIG.1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the collapsible bottle in acollapsed position and in a stacked configuration in another embodimentof the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-section IV of the stacked collapsible bottlesin FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 illustrates a silicon valve seal and hinged flop top cap thatcovers the neck of the collapsible bottle in an alternative embodimentof the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-section VII of the silicon valve seal andhinged flop top cap in FIG. 5 in a closed position.

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-section VII of the silicon valve seal andhinged flop top cap in FIG. 5 in an open position.

FIG. 8 illustrates a front elevation view of the collapsible bottle inan alternative embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 illustrates a front elevation view of the collapsible bottle inFIG. 8 in a collapsed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is directed to collapsible bottles and methods ofusing the collapsible bottles. Generally, in an embodiment, the bottleis constructed and arranged to be collapsed into a smaller configurationand stacked upon one another. This reduces the space necessary totransport and/or hold the bottles, for example, in a vending machine.During use, the bottle can comprise a spill-proof spout and be elongatedto hold any suitable liquids. This provides a hygienic container forbeverages that could be useful, for example, at any location where thebeverage is dispensed into the container from a vending or dispensingmachine. The bottle requires little space because it is collapsible,stackable, and expandable, and can be capped to prevent spilling orcontamination.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, in an embodiment, the present disclosureprovides a collapsible bottle 10 comprising a top panel 20 having a neck30 (e.g. spout) and a middle panel 40 foldable along a fold 42 betweenthe top panel 20 and the middle panel 40. The collapsible bottle 10further comprises a bottom panel 50 comprising a bottom surface 52defining a molded recess 54 so constructed and arranged for receiving aneck of a second bottle partially or entirely within the molded recess54. The bottom panel 50 is foldable along a fold 56 between the middlepanel 40 and the bottom panel 50. In an embodiment, the middle panel iswider (e.g. greater diameter) than the top panel, and the bottom panelis wider than the middle panel.

The molded recess 54 can be constructed and arranged to so that the neckof the second bottle fits loosely or tightly therein. The second bottlecan comprise the same configuration or a different configuration fromthe collapsible bottle 10. In addition, the bottom panel 50 can define amolded recess 54 that matches the exact shape of the neck of the secondbottle. Alternatively, the bottom panel 50 can define a molded recess 54that does not match the shape of the neck of the second bottle but iscapable of entirely receiving the neck within the recess 54.

The bottle 10 is foldable into a collapsed position as shown in FIGS.3-5 wherein the top panel 20 folds into the middle panel 40 and themiddle panel 40 folds into the bottom panel 50. For example, in thecollapsed position, the middle panel 40 folds inward toward the bottle10 and becomes inverted within the bottom panel 50. As a result, thefold 42 is positioned below the fold 56 when the bottle 10 is in thecollapsed position. In an embodiment, the neck 30 remains above an upperend (i.e. fold 56) of the bottom panel in the collapsed position.

The bottle can comprise any suitable outward shape in accordance withembodiments of the present disclosure. For example, as shown in FIG. 1,the top panel, middle panel and bottom panel comprise a rounded orcircular cross-sectional shape (e.g. as viewed from the top). Inalternative embodiments, the panels can each comprise a differentoutward shape. For example, the top panel and middle panel can comprisea rounded cross-sectional shape while the bottom panel comprises asubstantially square cross-sectional shape.

The bottle can comprise any suitable height in the elongated orcollapsed positions. For example, the bottle can comprise a height ofbetween about 110 mm to about 305 mm in an elongated position and aheight of between about 50 to about 90 mm in the collapsed position. Thebottle can also comprise any suitable width/diameter. For example, thebottle can comprise panels having a width/diameter of about 50 to about100 mm.

The bottle can comprise any suitable weight. For example, the bottle cancomprise a total weight between about 5 to about 30 grams. Preferably,the bottle comprises a total weight between about 18 to about 24 grams.The bottle can also comprise any suitable volume in the extendedposition and the collapsed position. For instance, the bottle cancomprise a volume between about 2 fluid ounces to about 6 fluid ouncesin the collapsed position.

The bottle can be made, for example, by being preformed in a cylindricalor multi-sided shape and stretch blow-molded to preferably asphere-typed shape. The bottle can then be mechanically collapsed toform the folds and capped with any suitable closure.

The bottle may utilize a thin-wall plastic technology, for example, thatallows the bottle bend easily. The panels can comprise any suitablethickness. For example, the top panel, middle panel and/or bottom panelcan comprise a wall thickness between about 100 to about 300 microns. Inaddition, the panels can comprise any suitable material such as, forexample, an oxygen-barrier type material. In an embodiment, the top,middle and/or bottom panels comprises a material such as polyethyleneterephthalate, polypropylene, high-density polyethylene, low densitypolyethylene, polylactic acid, or other polymers or suitable materialsor combinations thereof.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, in an embodiment, the neck 30 can comprisea closure 60. For example, the neck can comprise threads, and theclosure can comprises a twist screw cap that twists onto and seals theneck. Accordingly, the bottom panel 50 comprises a bottom surface 52defining a molded recess 54 so constructed and arranged for receiving aclosure of a second bottle partially or entirely within the moldedrecess 54. Space savings are maximized when the molded recess 54entirely receives the closure of the second bottle while the bottles arestack upon one another.

Referring now to FIGS. 5-7, in another embodiment, the neck 110comprises a hinged flip top closure 120. The neck 110 also comprises acompressible valve seal 130 underneath the flip top closure 120. Asshown in FIG. 6, the valve seal 130 can be constructed an arranged in acompressed position that fits underneath the flip top closure 120. Whenthe flip top closure 120 is lifted, the valve seal 130 can beconstructed and arranged to pop up, which allows a consumer to drinkfrom an opening in the valve seal 130. The valve seal 130 can be used toprevent splashing or spilling of the beverage when the bottle is beingused. Space savings are maximized, for example, when the valve seal 130compresses underneath the flip top closure 120 thereby minimizing anyprotrusion of the drinking spout. The compressible valve seal 130 can bemade, of any suitable material such as, for example, silicon.

In alternative embodiments, any suitable type of closure can be used tocover or seal the neck of the bottle. For example, the closure cancomprise a detachable pull tab. Any suitable spout (e.g. sports spout)can take the place of the valve seal inside the neck. Alternatively, theneck may not comprise any additional spout. The closure can be attachedto the neck of the bottle in any suitable manner (e.g. threaded closureand neck, adhesive, snap-lock)

Referring now to FIGS. 8-9, in another embodiment, the presentdisclosure provides a bottle 200 comprising a top panel 220 comprising aneck 230, a middle panel 240 foldable along a plurality of folds 242between the top panel 220 and the middle panel 240 and a bottom panel250 comprising a bottom surface 252 defining a molded recess 254 soconstructed and arranged for receiving a neck of a second bottle withinthe molded recess. The middle panel 240 is foldable along the pluralityof folds 242 between the top panel 220 and the bottom panel 250. Forexample, the bottle 200 is foldable into a collapsed position as shownin FIG. 9 wherein the plurality of folds 242 are compressed upon on eachother. The folds 242 can be constructed and designed so that the bottle200 comprises any suitable height in the collapsed position.

In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method ofstacking bottles. The method comprises providing a first collapsiblebottle comprising a top panel, a middle panel, and a bottom panel. Thebottom panel comprises a bottom surface defining a molded recess. Thefirst collapsible bottle is foldable into a collapsed position whereinthe top panel folds into the middle panel and the middle panel foldsinto the bottom panel. The first collapsible bottle is stacked on top ofa second bottle by inserting a neck or closure of the second bottlepartially or entirely into the molded recess of the first collapsiblebottle. The second bottle can be collapsible and comprise the sameconfiguration or a different configuration from the first collapsiblebottle.

The first bottle and the second bottle can be in elongated or collapsedpositions when stacked. Any suitable number of bottles can be stacked ontop of each other in a similar manner. However, to optimize space, thebottles should be in the collapsed positions, for example, for shipmentor storage. This saves shipping and storage costs. The bottles can beused in a vending machine or dispensers, for example, in space-savingstacks.

The bottle can comprise any suitable liquid such as, for example, water,coffee, tea, juice, milk, dairy-based drinks (including yogurt),soy-based drinks, cereal-based drinks, fruit-based drinks, soda, slush,nutritional drink or combinations thereof. In another embodiment, thebottle comprises a liquid or powdered beverage concentrate or paste(e.g. gel) within the bottle. The concentrate may be frozen, chilled orat ambient temperature. The consumer can then add a rehydrating liquidsuch as water to the bottle to make a beverage.

In an alternative embodiment, the present disclosure provides a methodof providing a bottled liquid. The method comprises providing a vendingmachine comprising one or more collapsible bottles, dispensing acollapsible bottle from the vending machine, and dispensing a liquidinto the collapsible bottle. The bottles can be stacked upon each otherin the vending machine in the extended position or the collapsedposition. The liquid can be dispensed from the same vending machine thatcontains the bottles or from a different vending machine or dispenser.Preferably, the bottles are capped to avoid contamination during transitor in the vending machine. During use, for example, the consumer insertsa payment into the vending machine and receives a collapsed bottle,which they would then uncap and extend prior to filling it from thevending machine.

The vending machine or dispenser can dispense any suitable liquid intothe bottle. The liquid can be, for example, water, coffee, tea, juice,milk, dairy-based drinks (including yogurt), soy-based drinks,cereal-based drinks, fruit-based drinks, soda, slush, nutritional drinkor combinations thereof. Alternatively, the bottle can contain a liquidor powdered beverage concentrate and a consumer can add a suitablediluting or rehydrating liquid such as water to form the bottledbeverage.

In yet another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method ofselling a beverage. The method comprises providing a vending machinecomprising a beverage and a plurality of collapsible bottles in thecollapsed position, wherein the bottles are stack upon one another,dispensing a collapsible bottle from the vending machine, elongating thebottle, and dispensing a beverage from the vending machine into thecollapsible bottle.

The consumer can also refill the bottle with a dispensed beverage fromthe vending machine or beverage dispenser for a discounted cost.Alternatively, the consumer can rinse and re-use the bottle for his orher own beverage later. The bottle can be reusable any number of times.

In still another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method ofproviding a beverage. The method comprises providing one or morecollapsible bottles in the collapsed position, elongating thecollapsible bottle; and dispensing a liquid (e.g. water, juice, soda)into the collapsible bottle. The collapsible bottles can also comprise abeverage concentrate in a form such as a powder, liquid, paste orcombination thereof. The liquid can be dispensed from any suitablebeverage dispensing machine. The collapsible bottles can be stacked uponone another, for example, on a rack at any suitable location (e.g. gym,school, store) and provided to a consumer.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to thepresently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent tothose skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present subjectmatter and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is thereforeintended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appendedclaims.

1. A bottle comprising: a top panel comprising a neck; a middle panelfoldable along a fold between the top panel and the middle panel; and abottom panel comprising a bottom surface defining a molded recess soconstructed and arranged for receiving a neck of a second bottle withinthe molded recess, the bottom panel foldable along a fold between themiddle panel and the bottom panel, the bottle foldable into a collapsedposition wherein the top panel folds into the middle panel and themiddle panel folds into the bottom panel.
 2. The bottle of claim 1,wherein the neck comprises a closure.
 3. The bottle of claim 2, whereinthe neck comprises a compressible valve seal positioned underneath theclosure.
 4. The bottle of claim 2, wherein the closure is selected fromthe group consisting of a hinged flip top cap, a twist screw cap, adetachable pull tab and combinations thereof.
 5. The bottle of claim 1,wherein the neck remains above an upper end of the bottom panel in thecollapsed position.
 6. The bottle of claim 1, wherein the top panel,middle panel and bottom panel comprise a circular shape.
 7. The bottleof claim 1, wherein the bottom panel comprises a square shape.
 8. Thebottle of claim 1, wherein the bottle comprises a height of betweenabout 110 mm to about 305 mm in an elongated position and a height ofbetween about 50 to about 90 mm in the collapsed position.
 9. The bottleof claim 1, wherein the bottom panel comprises a diameter of about 50 mmto about 100 mm.
 10. The bottle of claim 1, wherein at least one of thetop panel, middle panel and bottom panel comprises a wall thicknessbetween about 100 to about 300 microns.
 11. The bottle of claim 1,wherein the bottle comprises a total weight between about 5 grams toabout 30 grams.
 12. The bottle of claim 1, wherein the bottle comprisesa volume between about 6 fluid ounces to about 24 fluid ounces in theexpanded position and about 2 fluid ounces to about 6 fluid ounces inthe collapsed position.
 13. The bottle of claim 1 comprising a beverageconcentrate in a form selected from the group consisting of powder,liquid, paste and combinations thereof.
 14. The bottle of claim 1,wherein the top, middle and bottom panels comprise a material selectedfrom the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene,high-density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, polylactic acid andcombinations thereof.
 15. A bottle comprising: a top panel comprising aneck; a middle panel foldable along a plurality of folds between the toppanel and the middle panel; and a bottom panel comprising a bottomsurface defining a molded recess so constructed and arranged forreceiving a neck of a second bottle within the molded recess, the middlepanel foldable along the plurality of folds between the top panel andthe bottom panel, the bottle foldable into a collapsed position whereinthe plurality of folds are compressed upon on each other.
 16. A methodof stacking bottles, the method comprising: providing a firstcollapsible bottle comprising a top panel, a middle panel, and a bottompanel, the bottom panel comprising a bottom surface defining a moldedrecess, the first collapsible bottle foldable into a collapsed positionwherein the top panel folds into the middle panel and the middle panelfolds into the bottom panel; and stacking the first collapsible bottleon top of a second bottle by inserting a neck or closure of the secondbottle into the molded recess of the first collapsible bottle.
 17. Amethod of providing a bottled liquid, the method comprising: providing avending machine comprising a collapsible bottle; dispensing acollapsible bottle from the vending machine; and dispensing a liquidinto the collapsible bottle.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein thevending machine comprises a plurality of the collapsible bottles in acollapsed position stacked on top of one another.
 19. The method ofclaim 17, wherein the liquid is selected from the group consisting ofwater, coffee, tea, juice, milk, dairy-based drinks (including yogurt),soy-based drinks, cereal-based drinks, fruit-based drinks, soda, slush,nutritional drink and combinations thereof.
 20. The method of claim 17,wherein the collapsible bottle comprises a beverage concentrate in aform selected from the group consisting of powder, liquid, paste andcombinations thereof.
 21. The method of claim 17 comprising elongatingthe bottle before dispensing the liquid from the vending machine intothe collapsible bottle.
 22. A method of providing a beverage, the methodcomprising providing at least one collapsible bottle in the collapsedposition; elongating the collapsible bottle; and dispensing a liquidinto the collapsible bottle.
 23. The method of claim 22, wherein thecollapsible bottle comprises a beverage concentrate in a form selectedfrom the group consisting of powder, liquid, paste and combinationsthereof.
 24. The method of claim 22, wherein the liquid is dispensedfrom a beverage dispensing machine.
 25. The method of claim 22, whereina plurality of collapsible bottles are provided stacked upon one anotheron a rack.